Garment or article of clothing with concealed religious or spiritual indicia

ABSTRACT

An article of clothing can carry religious or spiritual indicia, which is hidden from an ordinary observer. For example and not limitation, the article of clothing can include shirts, pants, dresses, sweaters, suits, hats, belts, ties, footwear, in which religious or spiritual indicia is printed/embroidered in a concealed location. In an exemplary embodiment, the indicia is embroidered on the article of clothing in black ink. The religious or spiritual indicia can include religious or spiritual text, images, or a combination thereof. The hidden indicia permit the wearing of the article of clothing in any environment, particularly in those that do not permit articles of clothing containing outward messages. Now a user has the opportunity to express faith through a classic and elegant line of quality clothes that is both inspirational and can be worn in any environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/108,617, filed 27 Oct. 2008, the entire contents and substance of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an article of clothing and, in particular, an article of clothing carrying religious or spiritual indicia in a concealed location.

Individuals desire to wear an article of clothing that includes religious or spiritual indicia. Yet, in many circumstances, for example in a work environment, wearing the article of clothing with such indicia is prohibited.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to an article of clothing carrying religious or spiritual indicia that is hidden from an ordinary observer. For example and not limitation, the article of clothing can include shirts, pants, dresses, sweaters, suits, hats, belts, ties, footwear, in which religious or spiritual indicia can be printed, embroidered, and/or heat pressed in a concealed location. In an exemplary embodiment, the indicia is embroidered on the article of clothing in ink. The religious or spiritual indicia can include religious or spiritual text, images, or a combination thereof.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of a shirt containing concealed indicia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the shirt of FIG. 1, inside-out, revealing the concealed indicia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a shirt containing concealed indicia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the shirt of FIG. 3, revealing the concealed indicia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a belt containing concealed indicia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a piece of footwear containing concealed indicia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a hat containing concealed indicia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention include several embodiments of articles of clothing carrying religious or spiritual indicia that is concealed from an ordinary observer. The article of clothing, in one embodiment, carries such indicia on the interior thereof.

Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the view, embodiments of the articles of clothing will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in an exemplary embodiment, an article of clothing 100 includes an exterior 102, which viewable by an observer, and an interior 104, which is not viewable by the observer. In an exemplary embodiment, the interior 104 of the article of clothing 100 carries religious or spiritual indicia 118, which is preferably printed or embroidered thereon.

A shirt 110 (i.e., a garment or article of clothing) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally in FIGS. 1-2. In particular, the side view of a polo-type short-sleeve shirt 110 is shown for purposes of example in FIG. 1-2. The shirt 110 can also be, for example and not limitation, a T-shirt, short-sleeve button down, or a long-sleeve button down.

The shirt 110 includes a body portion 112, sleeves 114, and a collar 116. The collar 116 is a trim piece commonly present on shirts. The collar 116 can be foldable (i.e., movable) between a conventionally-worn or down position and an up position. At a concealed position on the shirt 110, e.g., either on the interior 104 or under the collar 116, the indicia 118 can be positioned.

For example and not limitation, the indicia 118 can include religious or spiritual text, e.g., Bible verses, religious, or spiritual images, e.g., images of Jesus Christ, the cross, a lamb (e.g., the Agnus Dei Clothing Lamb design), and the like. The religious or spiritual indicia 118 can extend beyond Christianity, depending on the desire of the person wearing the shirt 110, and can include indicia 118 for other religions, for example and not limitation, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha'ism, Zoroastrianism, and others.

In an exemplary embodiment, the indicia 118 is positionable on the shirt 110 at a location at which it is concealed or hidden by the collar 116, e.g., when the collar is in its down position. In one embodiment, the indicia 118 can be positioned such that it is exposed when the collar is in its up position. For instance, the indicia 118 is positioned at a location on the shirt 110 that is covered by the collar 114 when in the down position. Alternatively, the indicia 118 can be positioned on the inside surface 104 of the collar 116 as shown by the inside-out view of FIG. 2. The indicia 118 can be formed on the shirt 110 using many conventional or otherwise known approaches, such as printing and embroidering.

One advantage of the shirt 110 is that the shirt 110 can be manufactured efficiently with no additional expense other than that associated with the formation of the indicia 118 by printing, embroidery, and/or heat pressing. It also provides the ability for one to “retrofit” a preexisting shirt with indicia 118. In other words, no structure is added to the shirt 110 solely or substantially for the purpose of enabling the concealment and exposure of the indicia 118.

In addition, the collar 114 is considered a conventional trim piece that eases the concealment of the indicia 118. Other persons to whom the indicia 118 is to be communicated will not be suspicious or have their attention drawn to the collar 116, as can happen with unconventional or otherwise conspicuous or unusual structures that are present primarily or solely for purposes of hiding the message. The person wearing the shirt 110 can abide by clothing requirements in their place of work or other environment and still feel that the indicia 118 is touching them in both physical and religious manners.

Other garments or articles of clothing, including those that include collars 116, can incorporate the indicia 118 in the above-mentioned manner. For example, the concealed indicia can be placed beneath a collar 116 or on the interior 104 thereof. Further, the indicia 118 can be incorporated into other types of trim pieces commonly found on shirts and jackets, for example and not limitation, sleeve cuffs, pocket flaps, and lapels. In addition, the indicia 118 can be placed in a bottom corner of an interior of the article of clothing.

In yet other embodiments, the indicia 118 can be incorporated into trim pieces having characteristics such as those described above on still other types of garments, articles of clothing, and accessories. For example and not limitation, these include leg cuffs and pocket flaps on pants/shorts.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in FIGS. 3-4, a shirt 120 includes a body portion 122 and sleeves 124. Indicia 126 is positioned on an indicia-bearing surface 128 on the interior of the sleeve 124, which is adjacent to the end or edge 130 of the sleeve 124. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the indicia-bearing surface 128 can face or is oriented inward toward the wearer, and thus the indicia 126 (see FIG. 4) is concealed. The indicia-bearing surface 128 is sufficiently close to the edge 130 of the sleeve 124 that by moving the edge 130 of the sleeve, the surface 128 can be exposed outwardly to reveal the indicia 126, which is illustrated in FIG. 4 Like most conventional shirts, the sleeve 124 is foldable, rollable, or twistable (i.e. movable). In some embodiments, the indicia-bearing surface 128 can be in direct contact with the skin of the person wearing the shirt 120.

Like the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, an advantage of the shirt 120 is that the indicia 126 can be concealed and, if desired, can be revealed an appropriate time as determined by the wearer. The sleeve 124 appears as an ordinary sleeve to an observer. Furthermore, this embodiment can be carried out using a basic shirt, such as an ordinary T-shirt, with no need for the addition of extra trim or flaps to conceal the indicia 126. The indicia-bearing surface 128 is located adjacent to the edge 130 of the shirt 120, which is typically present on such shirts.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3-4 can be realized using different inner surfaces of the article of clothing, such as the underside of a sleeve cuff, the inside surface of a waistband, the backside of a shirt tail, etc. The indicia can also be incorporated into garments other than a shirt or pants (not shown).

In another embodiment of the present invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the article of clothing 100 can include a belt 140. The belt 140 can include a first side 142, which is exposed to an observer, and a second side 144, which is in contact with the pants or shorts of the person wearing the belt 140. In addition to helping keep the pants or shorts on the person, the belt can provide a religious or spiritual purpose. In this case, the second or concealed side 144 can include or carry religious or spiritual indicia 146.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, the article of clothing 100 can include a piece of footwear 150. The piece of footwear 150, including but not limited to a shoe, flip-flop, sandal, or like device, can include religious or spiritual indicia 152. In an exemplary embodiment, the footwear 150 can carry the indicia 152 in the interior thereof, such as in the case of a shoe, or on a portion of the sole, such as in the case of either a shoe or a flip-flop. Preferably, the indicia 152 is concealed from an observer.

In another embodiment of the present invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the article of clothing 100 can include a hat 160. The hat 160 can include religious or spiritual indicia 162 in a concealed location. For example, the indicia 162 can be positioned under the bill of the hat (if available) or in the interior of the head covering thereof. Similarly, a visor can carry such indicia.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to articles of clothing carrying hidden indicia. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus comprising an article of clothing having an external surface and an internal surface; an indicia-carrying assembly carried by the internal surface; and religious or spiritual indicia carried by the indicia-carrying assembly. The indicia-carrying assembly carried by the internal surface can be accomplished by a stitching, heat press, and/or printing process.

In some embodiments, the article of clothing is a shirt. The shirt comprises a body portion; and a pair of sleeves, wherein the indicia-carrying assembly is hidden from others when the shirt is worn. The indicia-carrying assembly can be stitched to a rear, interior surface of the shirt. Alternatively, the indicia-carrying assembly can be carried by the interior surface of a sleeve of the shirt. The shirt may further include a collar.

In some embodiments, the article of clothing is a belt. The belt comprises an elongated body having a first end and a second end, as well as an interior surface and an external surface; the first end of the elongated body comprises a buckle for securing the belt around a waist; and in proximity to the second end of the elongated body a plurality of holes for receiving the buckle; wherein the indicia-carrying assembly is carried by the interior surface of the belt.

In some embodiments, the article of clothing is a shoe. The shoe comprises an outsole for supporting the foot of a user, which comes into direct contact with the walking surface; and an upper for covering a portion of the toes of a user, the top of the foot, the sides of the foot, and/or the back of the heel, wherein the upper is attached to the outsole. The indicia-carrying assembly can be secured to a bottom of the outsole. The indicia-carrying assembly can be carried by the interior of an upper of the shoe.

In some embodiments, the article of clothing is a hat or cap. The cap comprises a head portion for covering a portion of a user's head; and a bill in communication with a portion of the head portion. The indicia-carrying assembly can be carried by at least one of the interior of the head portion or the bill.

Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an apparatus comprising: a shirt comprising: (1) a body portion having an interior and an exterior; (2) a pair of sleeves having an interior and an exterior; and (3) a collar having an up position and a down position; an indicia-carrying assembly stitched to the internal of one of the body, a sleeve of the pair of sleeves, or the collar, and hidden from others when the shirt is worn; and an indicia printed on the indicia-carrying assembly containing religious or spiritual indicia for expressing one's faith.

Embodiments of the present invention further relate to a method of religious expression. The method of religious expression comprises providing an article of clothing having an interior surface, which is not visible by others, and an external surface, which is visible by others; and stitching an indicia-carrying assembly to the interior surface of the article of clothing, wherein religious or spiritual indicia is printed on the indicia-carrying assembly. The method further comprises wearing the article of clothing having the indicia, wherein the indicia is hidden from view and others are not aware of the indicia stitched thereto.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the invention provides a number of different garments or articles of clothing that include concealed indicia, wherein the indicia contains a religious or spiritual context in text or images or the combination thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, while embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of shirts, the concepts described herein need not be limited to these illustrative embodiments.

Additionally, the specific configurations, choice of materials, and the size and shape of various elements can be varied according to particular design specifications or constraints requiring an article of clothing constructed according to the principles of the invention. Such changes are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are, therefore, considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. An apparatus comprising: an article of clothing having an internal surface; an indicia-carrying assembly carried by the internal surface of the article of clothing; and religious or spiritual indicia carried by the indicia-carrying assembly.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein indicia-carrying assembly is carried by the internal surface of the article of clothing is selected from the group consisting of stitching, printing, and heat press.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, the article of clothing comprising a shirt comprising: a body portion; and a pair of sleeves extending from the body portion, wherein the indicia-carrying assembly carrying the religious or spiritual indicia is hidden from others when the shirt is worn by a user.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, the indicia-carrying assembly carried by a rear, interior surface of the shirt.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, the indicia-carrying assembly carried by the interior surface of a sleeve of the pair of sleeves of the shirt.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, the shirt further comprising a collar.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, the indicia-carrying assembly carried by a rear, interior surface of the shirt.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2, the article of clothing comprising a belt, the belt comprising: an elongated body having a first end and a second end; the first end of the elongated body comprising a buckle for securing the belt around a waist; and in proximity to the second end of the elongated body a plurality of holes for receiving a portion of the buckle; wherein the indicia-carrying assembly is carried by the interior surface of the belt.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2, the article of clothing comprising a shoe, the shoe comprising: an outsole for supporting the foot of a user, the outsole adapted to come into direct contact with the walking surface; and an upper for covering one or more of a portion of the toes of the user, the top of the foot, the sides of the foot, or the back of the heel, the upper attached to the outsole.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, the indicia-carrying assembly carried by a bottom of the outsole.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, the indicia-carrying assembly carried by the interior of an upper of the shoe.
 12. The apparatus of claim 2, the article of clothing comprising a cap, the cap comprising: a head portion for covering a portion of a user's head; and a bill in communication with a portion of the head portion.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, the indicia-carrying assembly carried by at least one of the interior surface of the head portion or the bill.
 14. An apparatus comprising: a shirt wearable by a user, the shirt comprising: a body portion having an interior; a pair of sleeves having an interior and extending from the body portion; and a collar coupled to the body portion and having an up position and a down position; an indicia-carrying assembly stitched to the interior of at least one of the body portion, a sleeve of the pair of sleeves, or the collar, the indicia-carrying assembly hidden from view when the shirt is worn; and an indicia printed on the indicia-carrying assembly containing religious or spiritual indicia.
 15. A method of religious expression comprising: providing an article of clothing having an interior surface, which is not visible by others when worn, and an external surface, which is visible by others when worn; and stitching an indicia-carrying assembly to the interior surface of the article of clothing, wherein religious or spiritual indicia is printed on the indicia-carrying assembly.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising wearing the article of clothing having the indicia, wherein the indicia is hidden from view and others are not aware of the presence of the indicia. 